86-89 were awesome years

I started in Hartford on 3/26 and saw all the shows through the 3rd night at the UIC Pavilion in Chicago. However, I only saw the Saturday night show in Worcester, MA. I have to say that 3-29 was high energy and it is the only time I saw Jerry jump off the ground in excitement while performing. He did this during Sugar Magnolia after doing several windmills ala Pete Townshend.
IMHO, I thought this was the best of the three in Philly, but preferred Hartford. Great show and wished they had kept 'Black Muddy River' in one of the sets as it was a big downer in the encore spot all the time, although it is a beautiful, yet sad song.

I am very happy that the Grateful Dead played a show on the day I was born. Who know, I might have even been coming out while they were rocking Bertha! That is the song that is playing now. It is 2:13am but I have this on loud on my ipod. Very pleased that everyone seems to like this show.
Cheers from Australia!

Very tight and energetic show from beginning to end - excellent example of Spring 87 - powerful ensemble playing - gorgeous, melodic & long intro to Wheel - Jer's solos are powerful throughout - well worth a loud and attentive listen.

My first show/unofficial birthday. It was an awesome first show but not a throw down get your groove on show. I must say I enjoyed 3/30 a lot more.

Sorry, 3 night run in Philly =).

finally, a relaxed, stretched out wheel. i remember the band taking their time returning to the stage so jerry improvised his way in. nice playing in the band. good energetic show, well played, good recording.

Philly rocks...to me audience shows can only get to a four -- maybe a different ranking system is needed,
cause this rocks!
4 as an audience tape from this era
4 compared to a board...
ah, what the heck -- energy from the boyz on this night is like a 12...
so it's a five
(but definitely needs some equalizer help)

... as it was my first of only 2 Let It Grows in 37 shows, in my 16th show. I was VERY unlucky with GD shows. I was super-stoked for LIG, drumming in the air all the way through, and thought that the long jam was simply the best LIG jam ever. On listening to it again, that's some hyperbole, but it IS very darn good. The whole second set is excellent, esp. Playin>China Doll, a rockin', well-placed Woman Smarter, Wheel with technical problems which Jerry responded to with volley after volley of ultra-sweet leads, a hot GDTRFB, and one of the best Sugar Mags. If you like 87 Dead, this is one for you.

Great sound quality and the band puts the pedal to the metal. In fact, this show is almost exhausting just to listen to. Stranger is great, but many of the songs are so fast paced I think that they lack the air to let that "X-factor" really develop. The opposite extreme of a typical show from, say, 1976, which IMHO is often too slow. Nor do I think this pace is typical of the whole E.Coast Spring '87 tour.

I know there are others out there that rip the cover off the ball but this one is stunning with Jer hosing off afterwards its so hot. Brent gets involved in a big way as well and bangs out a great version of Far from me which can be kind of lame - So 2 blah songs they crush it on. FOTD is superb with Brent getting another gold star Then there is an immortal Let it Grow prob best of 1987 as well. Great long and spacey Playin and the Women sparkles+

1st Set: A roaring approval meets a strong, welcoming "Hell." The evening continues on a youthful bent on a wide smiling "Bertha." So far, the energy is splendiferous. "Rooster," keeps the show howling. Brent gets his to throw a typical crass torrent of a rap. (Tho, his exuberance deserves credit for keeping Jerry's concert(ial) muse afloat for many years.) "Far" is better than usual, but always is a 'next' for me. "FOTD" enlivens from Mydland's plunkily eager bridge work. "El Paso" flows nicely. "Push" is standard. "Let it Grow" electrifies from 5-6:45. Overall, the band is quite active with Lesh, Garcia and Mydland leading a fearsome charge. Above-average 1st.
2nd Set: A brisk "Mississippi" starts us out as we continue our journey via the pastoral roads of 'Wake of the Flood.' "Playing" continues the '73 feel of the show's song choices; although filled with sonic speculations it doesn't approach the space embodied by the best of early 70 vesions. The allowance of time to build a tense story is lost, as are the intense 'tiger' sections of old. "China" is well-played tho not spare enough to break my heart. "Man Smart" is back to easy, blithe and carefree music. Kinda would have preferred a "He's Gone" in this spot... but oh well. It goes right into an abbreviated 'Drums' and "Space" Nice 'Wheel' teases, let's see...oh yea. It's strong too. I'm boogeying to "GDTRFB" like I always do... this version is casually confident. Great arena rock!! "Playin reprise" keeps the place shaking tho it's kind of a wasted choice. "Black" is not really needed tonight, but at least it's the short ballad. A gay rocking "Magnolia." ends the proceedings.
"Quinn" keeps the energy joyous and unrepentent.
A fun show to listen to. (Tho, I'm sticking with my He's Gone should've been there instead of Man Smart, assertion)

you mention the interplay.... ya gotta remember the visual... the light system was at its biggest and then they added those lasers.... toooo much.... they boxed you in ...and kicked you out... they made you jump up and down.... they made you shout!!! turn it up, close your eyes, and remember... and then turn it way up... and flashback!!!

This is a classic example of extreme energy found throughout the Spring, 1987 Tour (also see 3/26 and 3/30). Jerry's vocals are very strong (no more walrus of 1984 or hoarsness of 1992-95). 1/2-step is flawless. The Wheel is the best I have heard since 1981. I pray for a soundboard...

Jerry takes his time going from the first notes of Wheel to the first verse -- maybe 3 or 4 minutes -- and the results bring wood to my sauzzeetch.

Just listen. When people talk about the energy of 87 this is what they mean.

The entire run was superb. Wish a SBD would surface...

The second set is a must have - the transition from a brief Space to an extended, melodic Wheel featuring soaring guitar lines from Garcia is worth it alone. The interplay between the band and the audience builds throughout the set, culminating in near-manic Sugar Magnolia-->Quinn close. What a joy.